DS-C9148T-24EK9 – 24x32G FC Ports – 48-Port 1RU Chassis – Exhaust SAN Switch
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DS-C9148T-24EK9 Description
DS-C9148T-24EK9 is a Cisco MDS 9148T 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch order for Fibre Channel storage fabrics that need a compact 1RU fixed switch with 24 active ports at purchase and expansion headroom on a 48-port SFP+ chassis. It supports 4, 8, 16, and 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel operation, provides 32 Gbps dedicated bandwidth per port with 1.5 Tbps aggregate full-duplex switching capacity, and uses port activation licensing such as M9148T-PL8 to add more active ports when required. The order configuration includes four fans, two DS-CAC-650W-E 650W AC power supplies, port-side exhaust airflow, and a Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later software baseline, making the SKU a fit for SAN access or fabric expansion where the buyer needs confirmed 32G FC capacity without ordering a fully populated 48-port configuration upfront.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9148T-24EK9 |
|
Product type |
32G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed-switch form factor |
|
Fibre Channel ports |
48 SFP+ ports base |
|
Active ports at order |
24 active FC ports |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
4, 8, 16, and 32 Gbps autosensing |
|
Dedicated bandwidth per port |
32 Gbps |
|
Aggregate bandwidth |
1.5 Tbps end-to-end full duplex |
|
Port groups |
3 port groups of 16 ports each |
|
Base order hardware |
4 fans and 2 PSUs |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
Product Performance
Key Features
DS-C9148T-24EK9 is the port-side exhaust base PID, so it fits rack rows that expect airflow toward the port side while starting with 24 active Fibre Channel ports.
Cisco lists separate 32G, 16G, and 8G FC transceiver order lines for the MDS 9148T. That keeps the media choice tied to host HBA speed, array interface speed, fiber type, and link distance.
The base model activates 24 ports and uses M9148T-PL8 licensing for additional port blocks, making the day-one port count and later host or ISL expansion visible as separate BOM decisions.
The MDS 9148T supports VSANs, NPV, IVR, port channels, flow- and zone-based QoS, FC-NVMe, diagnostics, and secure management functions under the required Cisco MDS software baseline.
The ordering description includes 4 fans and 2 PSUs. Cisco also lists exhaust and intake spare fan and PSU PIDs, so replacement items should match the installed airflow direction.
Cisco documents two out-of-band management ports, SNMPv3, NX-API REST interfaces, onboard Python, DCNM support, and switch-based telemetry functions for MDS 9148T operations planning.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9148T-24EK9 fits host, storage, and ISL counts that need 24 active 32G-capable FC ports now while preserving a documented path to activate additional ports on the same 48-port chassis.
This base order is useful when the switch should arrive without a fixed 32G shortwave optic bundle. The project can then select Cisco 32G, 16G, or 8G FC optics after fiber and endpoint requirements are settled.
Use the exhaust PID when the cabinet plan expects air to move toward the port side. Keep spare fan modules, PSU spares, and replacement quote lines aligned with port-side exhaust airflow.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9148T-24EK9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
|
Chassis FC ports |
48 SFP+ ports |
48 SFP+ ports |
48 SFP+ ports |
48 SFP+ ports |
|
Active FC ports |
24 |
24 |
24 |
48 |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
4/8/16/32 Gbps |
4/8/16/32 Gbps |
4/8/16/32 Gbps |
4/8/16/32 Gbps |
|
Included FC optics |
No factory optic bundle |
No factory optic bundle |
24 x 32G SW optics |
48 x 32G SW optics |
|
Fan modules |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Power supplies |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side intake |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side exhaust |
|
Port activation option |
M9148T-PL8 8-port license |
M9148T-PL8 8-port license |
M9148T-PL8 8-port license |
Fully active 48-port optic bundle |
|
Minimum NX-OS release |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
- In a DS-C9148T-24EK9 vs DS-C9148T-24IK9 comparison, the technical difference is airflow direction: DS-C9148T-24EK9 is port-side exhaust and DS-C9148T-24IK9 is port-side intake.
- The DS-C9148T-24EK9 difference from DS-C9148T-24PETK9 is the optic bundle. Both start with 24 active ports, but DS-C9148T-24PETK9 includes 24 Cisco 32G SW optics.
- For DS-C9148T-24EK9 vs DS-C9148T-48PETK9, the active-port count changes from 24 to 48 and the 48-port bundle includes 48 Cisco 32G SW optics.
- Buyers comparing DS-C9148T-24EK9 with the bundled SKUs should decide whether FC optics and full 48-port activation belong in the first order or should remain separate expansion lines.
Selection Guide
1. Keep the exhaust airflow identity fixed
Select DS-C9148T-24EK9 when the rack plan requires port-side exhaust cooling. If the same base port count is needed with port-side intake, compare DS-C9148T-24IK9 instead.
2. Separate switch hardware from FC media
Choose this base SKU when optics must be selected after checking host HBA speed, storage-array port speed, fiber type, and link distance. Choose a PET bundle only when Cisco 32G SW optics should ship with the switch.
3. Size active ports against the SAN map
The first order activates 24 FC ports. Add M9148T-PL8 licenses only when the host, array, and ISL count requires 32, 40, or 48 active ports on the same chassis.
4. Confirm software and management requirements
Match the deployment to Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later. Advanced SAN Insights, Enterprise Package, or DCNM advanced licenses should stay as separate software checks.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact switch PID |
DS-C9148T-24EK9 |
Keeps the order on the 24-active-port exhaust base switch rather than intake or optic-bundled variants |
|
Active-port count |
24 active ports at delivery |
Prevents a 48-port SAN design from being ordered without the needed M9148T-PL8 activation plan |
|
Airflow hardware |
Port-side exhaust switch, PSU, and fan spares |
Keeps installed and replacement cooling components aligned |
|
FC optic list |
Cisco 32G, 16G, or 8G SW/LW optics |
Confirms media because this base PID does not include factory optics |
|
Software floor |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and DCNM 11(0) or later |
Confirms the operational baseline before staging the switch |
|
Power connection |
Regional C15 power cords or cabinet jumper cords |
Avoids installation delay caused by a missing cord choice |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
M9148T-PL8 |
Cisco MDS 9148T 8-port On-Demand Activation license |
|
M9148T-PL8= |
Cisco MDS 9148T 8-port On-Demand Activation spare license |
|
M9148T-PL8T |
Cisco MDS 9148T 8-port activation license with 8 x 32G SW optics |
|
DS-CAC-650W-E= |
AC PSU port-side exhaust spare for MDS 9148T |
|
DS-C32S-FAN-E= |
MDS 9148T fan module port-side exhaust spare |
|
DS-SFP-FC32G-SW |
Cisco 32G FC shortwave optic |
|
DS-SFP-FC32G-LW=* |
Cisco 32G FC longwave optic |
|
DS-9148T-KIT-CSCO |
MDS 9148T accessory kit for Cisco |
Front View
|
1 |
Serial console port |
7 |
Activity status LED |
|
2 |
System status LED |
8 |
Ethernet management ports (2) |
|
3 |
Power status LED |
9 |
Fixed FC ports |
|
4 |
Fan status LED |
10 |
FC port status LEDs (48) |
|
5 |
USB port |
11 |
Airflow grill |
|
6 |
Link status LED |
Rear View
|
1 |
Power supply failure status LED |
6 |
Power supply status LED |
|
2 |
Power supply unit fan |
7 |
Power supply units (2 units) |
|
3 |
Power supply unit handle |
8 |
Chassis fan modules (4 units) |
|
4 |
Unswitched power receptacle |
9 |
Chassis fan module release latches (8) |
|
5 |
Power supply unit latch release |
|
1 |
Power supply unit slot 1 |
4 |
Chassis fan module slot 3 |
|
2 |
Chassis fan module slot 1 |
5 |
Chassis fan module slot 4 |
|
3 |
Chassis fan module slot 2 |
6 |
Power supply unit slot 2 |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9148T-24EK9 | Product compatibility | Cisco MDS 9000 Family |
| Product type | 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch | Order configuration | 24 active FC ports, 4 fans, 2 PSUs, port-side exhaust airflow |
| Form factor | 1RU fixed-switch form factor | Fibre Channel ports | 48 SFP+ ports base |
| Active ports at order | 24 active FC ports | Port activation license | M9148T-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
| Maximum active ports | 48 active FC ports | Fibre Channel speed support | 4, 8, 16, and 32 Gbps autosensing |
| Dedicated bandwidth per port | 32 Gbps | Aggregate bandwidth | 1.5 Tbps end-to-end full duplex |
| Port groups | 3 port groups of 16 ports each | Buffer credits | Up to 8300 for a group of 16 ports, 500 default per port, 8270 maximum for a single port in the group |
| Port channel support | Up to 16 load-balanced physical links in one port channel | Fibre Channel port types | E, F, B, SD, ST, NP, and TE |
| FC-NVMe support | FC-NVMe listed in the protocol support | Fabric services | Name server, RSCN, login services, FCS, broadcast, and in-order delivery |
| Advanced functions | VSAN, NPV, IVR, port channel with multipath load balancing, and flow- and zone-based QoS | Security functions | VSAN isolation, hardware zoning ACLs, FC-SP, RBAC, SFTP, SSHv2, SNMPv3, control-plane security, TrustSec payload encryption, secure boot, and anti-counterfeit technology |
| Diagnostics | POST, OHMS, internal loopbacks, SPAN, Fibre Channel traceroute, Fibre Channel ping, Fibre Channel debug, Cisco Fabric Analyzer, syslog, port-level statistics, link diagnostics, and read diagnostic parameter | High availability components | Hot-swappable dual redundant power supplies, hot-swappable fan module, and hot-swappable SFP+ optics |
| Management Ethernet ports | mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T and mgmt1 1/10G SFP+ port | Console and USB ports | RS-232 serial console port and USB power-on auto-provision port |
| Programmability | NX-API RESTful interfaces, onboard Python interpreter, Cisco DCNM web services API, EEM, and NX-OS scheduler | Minimum NX-OS release | Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
| Minimum Cisco DCNM release | Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later | Default power supply | DS-CAC-650W-E 650W AC port-side exhaust power supply; two supplies in the order configuration |
| AC input voltage | 100 to 240 VAC, 10 percent range | AC input frequency | 50 to 60 Hz nominal |
| Typical power without optics | 217W for idle 48-port switch without optics modules | Typical power with 24 optics | 251W for 48-port switch with 24 32G SW optics under typical conditions |
| Typical power with 48 optics | 297W for 48-port switch with 48 32G SW optics under typical conditions | Airflow direction | Back to front toward ports using port-side exhaust fans |
| System airflow rate | 50 CFM through system fan assembly at 77F (25C) | Maximum airflow rate | 100 CFM maximum |
| Dimensions | 1.72 x 17.3 x 22.3 in. (4.37 x 43.94 x 56.64 cm), excluding PSU and fan module handles | Operating temperature | 32 to 104F (0 to 40C) |
| Operating relative humidity | 10 to 90 percent noncondensing | Operating altitude | -197 to 6500 ft (-60 to 2000 m) |
| Supported FC optics | 32G SW, 32G LW, 16G SW, 16G LW, 8G SW, and 8G LW optics listed | Included accessory kit | Cisco-specific MDS 9148T accessory kit shipped as standard |
Get More Information
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Quality Certifications
Customer Reviews
Questions & Answers
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Which SAN deployment fits DS-C9148T-24EK9?
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Does DS-C9148T-24EK9 ship with optics?
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What does the E suffix mean on DS-C9148T-24EK9?
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What does DS-C9148T-24EK9 omit compared with DS-C9148T-24PETK9?
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How does DS-C9148T-24EK9 align with exhaust-side cabling?
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How can DS-C9148T-24EK9 add more SAN ports?
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What optics planning matters for DS-C9148T-24EK9?
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When does DS-C9148T-24EK9 make sense instead of a P bundle?
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